Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Popular Mechanics has recently set up a page which breaks down the top twelve Presidential candidates based on their opinions on eight different subject that are important to their readers: Autos, Digital/Tech, Energy/Climate, Environment, Firearms, Infrastructure, Science/Education, and Space. According to Popular Mechanics, "We did not analyze any of the proposals, and we do not necessarily endorse them."

On these issues, Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee and the least defined candidates currently running, with established positions on only three of the eight subjects: Digital/Tech, Environment, and Firearms. Ron Paul is the only candidate running who has no response on energy/climate, and one of only three candidates who has no response on the auto industry. While Ron Paul does comment on environmental policy, his response consists of nothing more than typical "Let's privatize everything and hope that the problem fixes itself" libertarian rhetoric.

The Ron Paul supporters would like to keep the focus on Iraq, because they know that this is where Ron Paul is popular. However, we need to remember that there are other major issues that will present themselves in the upcoming years. First, there is the issue of climate change, which has world wide implications that might persist for centuries to come. Just about everyone who lives on Earth has a reason to be concerned about climate change. Secondly, there is the issue of universal health care, which not only affects the 40 million Americans who aren't currently being covered, but also the millions of Americans who are denied coverage despite being being insured.

How can Ron Paul hope to represent the American people, if he doesn't plan on addressing the bulk of their concerns?